Summary

Historic Beverly’s mission is to share Beverly’s history with everyone through our collections which encompass 3 houses, 5 centuries and thousands of stories

We will accomplish this mission by:

1.Collecting and Preserving Beverly’s History: so we can share it through exhibits, research, educational programs, publications, and tours

2.Inspiring the Community to engage with history: so we can strengthen our community outreach and develop a comprehensive education program that embraces diversity, highlights cultural heritage, and informs Beverly's future

3.Making History Accessible for all: so we can improve handicap accessibility and increase public access to our collections and houses using 21st century methods such as our online collection, and social media platforms

Mission Statement

Historic Beverly’s mission is to share Beverly’s history with everyone through our collections which encompass 3 houses, 5 centuries and thousands of stories

We will accomplish this mission by:

1.Collecting and Preserving Beverly’s History: so we can share it through exhibits, research, educational programs, publications, and tours

2.Inspiring the Community to engage with history: so we can strengthen our community outreach and develop a comprehensive education program that embraces diversity, highlights cultural heritage, and informs Beverly's future

3.Making History Accessible for all: so we can improve handicap accessibility and increase public access to our collections and houses using 21st century methods such as our online collection, and social media platforms

Revenue vs. Expense ($000s)

Expense Breakdown 2017 (%)

Expense Breakdown 2016 (%)

Expense Breakdown 2015 (%)

For more details regarding the organization's financial information, select the financial tab and review available comments.

Overview

Mission Statement

Historic Beverly’s mission is to share Beverly’s history with everyone through our collections which encompass 3 houses, 5 centuries and thousands of stories

We will accomplish this mission by:

1.Collecting and Preserving Beverly’s History: so we can share it through exhibits, research, educational programs, publications, and tours

2.Inspiring the Community to engage with history: so we can strengthen our community outreach and develop a comprehensive education program that embraces diversity, highlights cultural heritage, and informs Beverly's future

3.Making History Accessible for all: so we can improve handicap accessibility and increase public access to our collections and houses using 21st century methods such as our online collection, and social media platforms

Background Statement

In 1891, a group of men, representative of some of Beverly’s early families founded the Beverly Historical Society. Soon after, Edward Burley willed his home, the 1781 John Cabot House, to the Society.

The house, built by John Cabot after he moved from Salem, became the first home of the Beverly Bank in 1802. The bank moved in 1868. The Cabot house remains the Society’s headquarters, with two floors of museum exhibits, meeting rooms, and research services.

Notable early officers of the Society include poet Lucy Larcom, preservationist Arthur Appleton, and longtime president Katherine Peabody Loring. The Society’s collections have grown to more than 750,000 objects, including manuscripts, photographs, ephemera, decorative arts, and other artifacts related to the history of Beverly and the North Shore.

In 1932, the 17th century Balch House, was offered to the Society for a nominal sum. John Balch was one of the first settlers of Beverly and was on the site as early as 1636. The Society continues to preserve the house and open it to visitors.

The Society acquired its third property, Hale Farm, in 1937. This 1694 structure built for John Hale, Beverly’s first minister, was sold to the Society by Hale descendant Eleanor Bancroft. The property originally extended to the water, and is still spacious enough to allow for a variety of events and programming.

Historic Beverly provides stewardship for one of the most impressive collections in Massachusetts. The collection is of national and local significance, with a strong concentration on papers pertaining to the American Revolution and the maritime history of the early republic, regional transportation history, and an important assortment of weapons, textiles, ceramics, furniture and paintings.

Throughout its history, the Society has collected, preserved and interpreted Beverly history, offering programs to the general public, as well as to teachers and students. Members and volunteers have also provided books and articles for publication, such as John Hale: A Man Best by Witches,North Beverly Remembered, Reflections of 20th Century Beverly, Thieves, Cowbeaters and Other True Tales of Colonial Beverly and A Short History of Beverly Airport. In 2017, the Society created a new name, tagline, website and mission to better reflect our purpose. Now known as Historic Beverly, we have renewed our commitment to making our collections fully accessible, both physically and electronically.

Impact Statement

Historic Beverly accomplishes its mission through the preservation and interpretation of three historic sites, the Balch House, Hale Farm, and the Cabot House, and a museum collection of nearly a million items that is made available to scholars, teachers, students and the public through exhibits, programs, and research opportunities.

Needs Statement

Preservation funds are needed for the Society's three nationally significant sites, as well as conservation funds for some of the items in our collection. Operating funds are critically needed to provide staffing for additional visitation hours, as well as for additional library research time.

CEO Statement

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Board Chair Statement

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Geographic Area Served

Throughout the United StatesGREATER BOSTON REGION, MANORTHEAST REGION, MASTATEWIDENATIONALPrimary audiences are Beverly, MA and Essex County residents. Genealogical services for national and international visitors with Essex County roots.

Organization Categories

Independent research has been conducted on this organization's theory of change or on the effectiveness of this organization's program(s)

No

Programs

17th Century Saturdays

A collaborative program with other sites in Essex County that promotes visitation to 17th century historic sites, many of which are not open regularly. Both the Balch House and the Hale House, two of the Society's historic sites, participate in this program on the first Saturday of the month, June - October

Budget

--

Category

Arts, Culture & Humanities

Population Served

Adults General Public/Unspecified

Program Short-Term Success

--

Program Long-Term Success

--

Program Success Monitored By

Attendance numbers

Examples of Program Success

--

Digging up the Past: An Introduction to Archaeology

This 3rd grade
program begins with a discussion of early European
settlement on the North Shore, focusing on the history of the 17thcentury
Balch House and an archaeological dig done at the site in 1998. Archaeological
terms and procedures are explained. Small groups of students then perform
their own "digs" in "pits" provided by the museum educator.
Each "pit" contains an actual historic artifact that can be examined,
identified in resource material, and dated. This program includes a visit to
the Balch House.
Massachusetts State Learning standards: 3.2, 3.4,
3.9, 3.11, 3.12
Concepts and Skills: # 3 Observe and describe
local or regional historic artifacts

Budget

$150.00

Category

Education, General/Other Educational Programs

Population Served

Children Only (5 - 14 years)

Program Short-Term Success

Children will exhibit increased knowledge of the topic.

Program Long-Term Success

To instill an appreciation for local history in Beverly schoolchildren, and assist teachers in meeting curriculum frameworks.

Program Success Monitored By

Museum educator and classroom teacher feedback.

Examples of Program Success

Evaluation results.

Emerging from Salem's Shadow

An ongoing
exhibit on Beverly's early history, which features an original landscape
painting commissioned to represent life in Beverly during that period.After the tumultuous years of the second half
of the 17th century, filled as they were with political upheaval, Indian wars,
and culminating in the witchcraft crises of 1692, the new century must have seemed
to local residents like entering a calm port. Although religion remained an
important aspect of colonial life, the power of the church in civic life was on
the wane. Beverly’s economy remained focused on maritime trades and
agriculture, but new trades emerged during the period. Clockmakers, cabinet
makers, silversmiths and other artisans created objects for an emerging
well-to-do class. A spirit of change and possibility emerged in the 18th
century, with profound consequences for our local community and America.

Budget

--

Category

Arts, Culture & Humanities, General/Other

Population Served

General/Unspecified

Program Short-Term Success

A great understanding of colonial life in Massachusetts.

Program Long-Term Success

A greater understanding of the importance of early structures and artifacts, and how they contribute to our understanding of American history.

Program Success Monitored By

--

Examples of Program Success

Anecdotal comments and evaluations.

Old Planters Reunion

A biennial gathering of those descended from Beverly's 17th century families, and those interested in that history. The event is centered around the Balch Family Meeting, which invites descendants of John Balch, one of Beverly's first residents, to stay connected to the Balch House and contribute to its support. Other programs during the reunion include lectures, walking tours, tours of privately-owned First Period homes, and research and networking opportunities.

Short-term success will be measured by increased attendance over the previous event, memberships initiated by attendees, and increased donations.

Program Long-Term Success

The long-term goal of the Old Planters Reunion is to strengthen the Society's connections to those with a natural interest in our properties and collections: descendants of Beverly's first residents and those interested in early Beverly history, to help the Society create a sustainable future for that history.

Program Success Monitored By

Attendees are asked to evaluate all aspects of the three day program.

Examples of Program Success

Although quantitative successes are certainly welcome (attendance, etc.) they are not the primary, or even secondary, goal of the program, particularly in the shortterm. Positive evaluations that indicate that participants learned something about this history, and that they enjoyed the program, are more important.

CEO/Executive Director/Board Comments

Our primary programming endeavors include regular lectures, walking tours, and school visits, as well as research assistance for both students and adults.

Capital Campaign

Major renovation of the Cabot House, our headquarters, to provide accessibility and upgrade climate control to better care for our collections.

Campaign Goal

--

Capital Campaign Dates

-

Capital Campaign Raised-to-Date Amount

--

Capital Campaign Anticipated in Next 5 Years?

Yes

Short Term Solvency

Fiscal Year

2017

2016

2015

Current Ratio: Current Assets/Current Liabilities

3.22

1.35

10.11

Long Term Solvency

Fiscal Year

2017

2016

2015

Long-term Liabilities/Total Assets

0%

0%

0%

CEO/Executive Director/Board Comments

In 2011, the Society's Audit Committee has determined that the organization will have a full audit every three years, with a review in the intervening years.

Foundation Comments

Financial summary data in the charts and graphs above is per the organization's IRS Form 990s. Contributions from Foundations & Corporations are listed under Individuals when the breakout was not available. For FY15, government revenue breakout detail was provided by the nonprofit.

Documents

Other Documents

No Other Documents currently available.

Impact

The Impact tab is a section on the Giving Common added in October 2013; as such the majority of nonprofits have not yet had the chance to complete this voluntary section. The purpose of the Impact section is to ask five deceptively simple questions that require reflection and promote communication about what really matters – results. The goal is to encourage strategic thinking about how a nonprofit will achieve its goals. The following Impact questions are being completed by nonprofits slowly, thoughtfully and at the right time for their respective organizations to ensure the most accurate information possible.